Braided Line versus Mono

[jbird1015]

I am looking for some feedback from some seasoned anglers. We fish Black Lake for Pike. While we through a few lures, we typically like the shiner/bobber approach using Mono and steel leaders. Is there any advantage switching to braided line. I have never used it. Thanks for any advice.

[Musky hunter]

NO stretch at all. Better hook set. If the pike swallows the shiner, probably won't make as much difference though.

[jbird1015]

Is there any drawbacks using Braided line?

[Musky hunter]

There are two:
If you throw heavy baits with a lot of arm, a midair backlash may cost you your rod and reel.

If you snag on a rock and can't get free, you may need a knife. We use 80# and your rod will give up before the line will.

[Phil]

Some folks think braid gives too "harsh" a hookset. i.e. no stretch/give in the line. Just saying what some folks prefer.
I like braid, it transmits the feel of the bite very well.

[Bob-O]

knot tying can get tricky. Make sure you do your homework on which knots are best and practice. I like Berkley power pro seems to knot the best and is closer to being round. Also keep in mind buy your line by pound test diameter not pound test. Your reel will be marked with the correct pound test and you should match it up with the correct braid pound test diameter.
cheers!

[jbird1015]

Thanks for all the good advice! I will put braid on one setup and keep the others with mono. Since we have used the bobber/shiner setup for pike and have found that the lake's "trade winds" tend to create line slack at times, I am always looking for a little edge to hookset.

[njmike]

Another good attribute of braid is that it will easily cut through weeds when fighting a fish and we all know how weedy BL is.